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Geography
Tampa - Undergraduate - BA |
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CIP Code:
45.0701 |
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Program Mission Statement:
The mission of the Department of Geography at the University of South Florida is threefold: 1) to conduct basic and applied research; 2) to provide exceptional, quality education and professional development opportunitiesat the undergraduate and graduate levels; and 3) to serve the region, community, and the university. Teaching and research themes focus on: (i) Environmental Processes and Policy, (ii) Environmental Hazards, Sustainable Communities, and Vulnerability Assessment, (iii) Geographic Information Sciences, (iv) Globalization and International Development, and (v) Urban and Regional Development and Planning. The Department maintains a strong international focus and undertakes research in many settings in North America and throughout the world, particularly Africa, Asia (particularly China, India, and the Middle East), Europe, and Latin America. The Department encourages engaged teaching and scholarship within communities and has strong connections with community partners in the Tampa Bay region and many other locations around the world.
The department offers six degree programs and three graduate certificate programs. There is a BA in Geography and a BS in Environmental Science and Policy, an MA in Geography, an MA in Urban and Regional Planning, an MS in Environmental Science and Policy, an integrated Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Science and Policy and three graduate and one undergraduate certificates. The Department is also home to the USF Botanical Gardens, the College’s Community Initiative Program, the USF Weather Station, the GIS and Cartographic Services Laboratory, and the Center for Brownfields Rehabilitation. The undergraduate programs offer a broad education in geography and environmental science and policy, which, combined with undergraduate research and practical knowledge, provides the necessary experience for a range of employment opportunities. The undergraduate certificate in Urban Studies provides opportunities for in-depth examination of urban topics. The masters’ degrees develop hands-on research undertaken with faculty mentors. The graduate certificate in GIS is designed for advanced learners interested in spatial information systems, the graduate certificate in Environmental Management and Policy focuses on training individuals in managing complex issues related to the environment, and the Community Development certificate promotes engaged scholarship. The doctoral degree is designed for advanced students specializing in research at the cutting edge of the discipline.
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Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate the following:
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OUTCOME
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- Geography students will demonstrate the ability to use quantitative spatial analyses to design, construct, and interpret computer generated thematic maps.
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Methods of Assessment
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- All Geography majors must take the core course series of GIS 3006 Computer Cartography and GIS 4043C Geographic Information Systems. Students’ ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data and to produce graphic representations of these analyses via thematic maps will be evaluated through assignments, examinations, and projects in the required course series. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each course.
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OUTCOME
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- Identify world regions and compare/contrast them in terms of the physical and human geographic characteristics which define them.
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Methods of Assessment
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- All Geography majors must complete one regional geography elective course. The topics of these courses may be one specific global region or may cover all global regions. In all cases, students will be assessed through assignments and examinations on their ability to construct spatially defined regions and sub-regions, and to compare and contrast them based upon physical and human geographical characteristics.
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OUTCOME
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- Describe and explain the present distribution of human population on Earth, and the origin, diffusion, and spatial organization of the major attributes of human culture, such as language, ethnicity, nationality, religion, economic activity, and level of development.
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Methods of Assessment
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- All Geography majors must take GEO 2400 Human Geography, which is a course in the Human Cultural Diversity and Global Context core knowledge area of the Foundations of Knowledge and Learning curriculum. Overall performance will be based on assignments and examinations using a course rubric which defines achievement of student learning outcomes as Unacceptable, Developing, Acceptable, and Outstanding.
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OUTCOME
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- Describe and explain the major Earth systems processes operating in the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, and the resulting spatial organization of Earth features.
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Methods of Assessment
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- All Geography majors must take GEO 2200 Intro Physical Geography, which is a course in the Natural Sciences core knowledge area of the Foundations of Knowledge and Learning curriculum. Overall performance will be based on assignments and examinations using a course rubric which defines achievement of student learning outcomes as Unacceptable, Developing, Acceptable, and Outstanding.
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OUTCOME
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- Geography students will demonstrate critical thinking and analytical abilities, including the capacities to engage in inductive and deductive thinking, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and to design and execute sound analyses to solve spatial problems.
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Methods of Assessment
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- i. GEO 2400 Human Geography is a course in the Foundations of Knowledge and Learning curriculum. All students in GEO 2400 must demonstrate critical thinking abilities as evaluated by an assessment rubric. Overall performance will be based on assignments and examinations using a course rubric which defines achievement in critical thinking as Unacceptable, Developing, Acceptable, and Outstanding.
- ii. A final project designed to evaluate students' abilities to analyze quantitative and qualitative data will be administered to students in GEO 3164C Research Methods in Geography.
- iii. A final project constructed to evaluate students' abilities to design and execute sound analysis of a spatial problem through the cartographic manipulation and representation of data will be administered to students in GIS 4043C Geographic Information Systems.
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OUTCOME
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- Upon completion of the program, Geography students will demonstrate the ability to create and deliver effective oral, written, and graphic presentations, by submitting comprehensive portfolios in the Geography Colloquium (GEO 4933), by completing and presenting mapping projects in the Computer Cartography course (GIS 3006), and by completing and presenting spatial analysis projects in the Geographic Information Systems course (GIS 4043C).
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Methods of Assessment
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- i. Assessment of the quality of students' comprehensive portfolios for the Geography Colloquium core course (GEO 4933). A complete portfolio will consist of a pre-approved resume or C.V.; sample application letter outlining their skill set for employment or research interests for graduate school; list of references; and four examples of student work (including, but not limited to, maps, analyses, papers, and presentations).
- ii. Assessment of the quality of students' final projects and presentations for the Computer Cartography core course (GIS 3006).
- iii. Assessment of the quality of students' final projects and presentations for the Geographic Information Systems core course (GIS 4043C).
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